OIS - Firearms Discharges

Michael Owens filed this request with the Elizabeth Police Department of Elizabeth, NJ.

It is a clone of this request.

Tracking #

352
Submitted March 6, 2023
Status
Completed

Communications

From: Michael Owens

Subject: New Jersey Open Public Records Act Request: OIS - Firearms Discharges

Email

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Records Act, I hereby request the following records:

1) Incident-level data on Elizabeth (NJ) Police Department officers’ drawing their weapons/firearms in the course of their duty: I request data from years 2000 to 2020, including the time, date, and street address (e.g. 123 Main St) for all incidents where an officer drew their weapon/firearm;
2) Incident-level data on the Elizabeth (NJ) Police Department officers’ discharging their weapons/firearms in the course of their duty: I request data from years 2000 to 2020, including the time, date, and street address (e.g. 123 Main St) for all incidents where an officer discharged their firearm;
3) If incident-level data on the Elizabeth (NJ) Police Department officers’ discharging their firearms in the course of duty from years 2000 to 2020 inclusive is available, I also request associated data on whether the shootings by the officers were lethal (i.e. suspects or civilians died as a result of gunshots from officers’ weapons) or were non-lethal (i.e. suspects or civilians were shot but did not die); and
4) Demographic data on the officers and suspects or civilians involved in each incident of Elizabeth (NJ) Police Department officers drawing, discharging, and/or striking (lethal and non-lethal) of suspects or civilians.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 7 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Michael Owens

From: Elizabeth Police Department

Subject: OPRA # 352 - EXT. (FIREARMS DISCHARGE)

Email

Good Afternoon,

Please see attachment.

Grace Sequeira

City Clerk's Office

Deputy Municipal Clerk

50 Winfield Scott Plaza

Elizabeth, N.J. 07201

908-820-4130

From: Elizabeth Police Department

Subject: OPRA # 352 - EXT. (FIREARMS DISCHARGE)

Email

Good Morning,

Please see attachment.

Grace Sequeira

City Clerk's Office

Deputy Municipal Clerk

50 Winfield Scott Plaza

Elizabeth, N.J. 07201

908-820-4130

From: City of Elizabeth (NJ)

Subject: OPRA Request (#352) - Firearm Discharges

Email

Good afternoon Mr. Owens:

This email is in response to your request for public records dated March 7, 2023, to the City Clerk of the City of Elizabeth pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Records Act, N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq. (OPRA).

You sought the following records:

1. Incident-level data on Elizabeth (NJ) Police Department [EPD] officers’ drawing their weapons/firearms in the course of their duty […] from years 2000 to 2020, including the time, date, and street address (e.g. 123 Main St) for all incidents where an officer drew their weapon/firearm;
2. Incident-level data on [EPD] officers’ discharging their weapons/firearms in the course of their duty […] from years 2000 to 2020, including the time, date, and street address (e.g. 123 Main St) for all incidents where an officer discharged their firearm;
3. If incident-level data on the [EPD] officers’ discharging their firearms in the course of their duty from years 2000 to 2020 inclusive is available, [you requested] associated data on whether the shootings by the officers were lethal (i.e. suspects or civilians died as a result of gunshots’ from officers’ weapons) or non-lethal (i.e. suspects or civilians were shot but did not die); and
4. Demographic data on the officers and suspects or civilians involved in each incident of [EPD] officers drawing, discharging, and/or striking (lethal and non-lethal) of suspects or civilians.

Regarding all four of your data requests, please be advised that no responsive records exist from 2000-2006. From 2007 until May 2015, all use of force reports with the requested information are stored in scanned PDF form. There is no way to collate the data besides recording it one-by-one, which requires the custodian to conduct research and create a new record, which she is not required to do under OPRA. From May 2015 to September 2020, the use of force reports have been archived as the EPD no longer uses the system the reports were originally stored in. At this time, we are still determining if the data for these records can be collated into easily generated data. Please allow the City’s custodian additional time of seven (7) business days to investigate further.

For the year 2020, all of the data requested for 2020 to present is readily available on the New Jersey Attorney General’s website (https://www.njoag.gov/force/). Once you follow the link, you must scroll down and click “Access Use of Force Dashboard”. From there, you are able to search for the EPD and the requested types of force and demographics and find the records you are searching for. EPD inputs this information directly to the State, so records for 2020 will be identical to those found on the State dashboard.

Thank you for your continued patience, I will reach back out with the status of the 2007-May 2015 data shortly.

All the best,

Samantha J. Castrelos, Esq.
Special Counsel
City of Elizabeth, Law Department
50 Winfield Scott Plaza, Room 201
Elizabeth, New Jersey 07201
(908) 820-4009

From: Michael Owens

Subject: RE: New Jersey Open Public Records Act Request #352

Email

Thank you for the message, Ms. Castrelos. It's very helpful.

Regarding the use of force reports from 2007 though mid-2015 that are are only available via PDF, may I request copies of the PDFs of the reports? That would meet my initial request that whatever I receive be "filled electronically, by e-mail attachment." It also would mean that there'd be no need for the custodian to do any research, and there'd be no need for a new record to be created create collation. The same would be true if I the reports from mid-May 2015 through 2019 were PDFs, too.

Again, thank you.

From: Elizabeth Police Department

Subject: Re: New Jersey Open Public Records Act Request #352

Email

Hi Michael,
So it looks like we are able to send over scanned copies of use of force reports. I actually misspoke in my last email when I said they were stored as scanned PDFs. They are actually stored as hard copies but we can scan and send over. However we still need to review each report as sometimes the civilians are minors so their identities will need to be redacted. Is there a time frame in which you need to receive all records by? We can begin this process but it does take some time for review and we can send over on a rolling basis if there is no rush. Please advise.
Thank you,
Samantha

From: Elizabeth Police Department

Subject: OPRA Request #352

Email

[https://res-h3.public.cdn.office.net/assets/mail/file-icon/png/folder_16x16.png]UOF Reports 2005-2011<https://elizabethnj-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/mfigueiredo_elizabethnj_org/EqlosznHcG1DtIgFghw5KCgBlCK0ta-_YmN5-7RopuMsqw>

Good afternoon Michael, pursuant to your OPRA request to the City of Elizabeth, attached please find a shareable link for UOF Reports from year 2005-2011. We are still working on the remaining years.

Regards,

Marisa Figueiredo

Legal Secretary

City of Elizabeth

Law Department, Room 201

50 Winfield Scott Plaza

Elizabeth, New Jersey 07201

908-820-4009

908-352-8658 (fax)

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this email message and any attachments are intended solely for the addressee(s) and may contain confidential and/or privileged information and may be legally protected from disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient of this message or their agent, or if this message has been addressed to you in error, please immediately alert the sender by reply email and then delete this message and any attachments. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any use, dissemination, copying, or storage of this message or its attachments is strictly prohibited.

From: Michael Owens

Subject: RE: New Jersey Open Public Records Act Request #352

Email

Hi, Ms. Figueiredo.

Thanks so much for your help with this request! I really appreciate it. The thoroughness has been amazing.

Sincerely,
Michael Owens

From: Elizabeth Police Department

Subject: Re: New Jersey Open Public Records Act Request #352

Email

[https://res-h3.public.cdn.office.net/assets/mail/file-icon/png/pdf_16x16.png]2015 UOF_0005_Redacted 1.pdf<https://elizabethnj-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/mfigueiredo_elizabethnj_org/EXdZEJBebWJGrslFgWXASwgBBUCuDHO86-1AF_LGNVnsEA>
[https://res-h3.public.cdn.office.net/assets/mail/file-icon/png/pdf_16x16.png]2015 UOF_0004_Redacted 1.pdf<https://elizabethnj-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/mfigueiredo_elizabethnj_org/Ef-uk3NrU6NNu8nvf3y6kOIBYsmOfbNbsWAKcVuiMxq2Wg>
[https://res-h3.public.cdn.office.net/assets/mail/file-icon/png/pdf_16x16.png]2015 UOF_0003_Redacted 1.pdf<https://elizabethnj-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/mfigueiredo_elizabethnj_org/ETz9JDv5NZ9HmrIq9YPIO3IBYJgIDakCELwIUcWhgjl7dA>
[https://res-h3.public.cdn.office.net/assets/mail/file-icon/png/pdf_16x16.png]2015 UOF_0002_Redacted 1.pdf<https://elizabethnj-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/mfigueiredo_elizabethnj_org/EXW-XxjsX-NHgWMSjqaBKbwB96y9S3cTevx0d3ow4UEeKw>
[https://res-h3.public.cdn.office.net/assets/mail/file-icon/png/pdf_16x16.png]2015 UOF_0001_Redacted 1.pdf<https://elizabethnj-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/mfigueiredo_elizabethnj_org/EWZ7uO_yOZJPs0LOIeSjQcYB4HmT4VoQZ1A1B6n-H-orQQ>
[https://res-h3.public.cdn.office.net/assets/mail/file-icon/png/pdf_16x16.png]2014 UOF_0005_Redacted 1.pdf<https://elizabethnj-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/mfigueiredo_elizabethnj_org/ES_rgWysHyFKmwsrNFwyZooBKL4jySH8XOa1Jw5-6DB3zw>
[https://res-h3.public.cdn.office.net/assets/mail/file-icon/png/pdf_16x16.png]2014 UOF_0004_Redacted 1.pdf<https://elizabethnj-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/mfigueiredo_elizabethnj_org/EWyGtRD2PndPtPKPfZW8LfwBBV4ja3n1iLVQHhon0RD2eQ>
[https://res-h3.public.cdn.office.net/assets/mail/file-icon/png/pdf_16x16.png]2014 UOF_0003_Redacted 1.pdf<https://elizabethnj-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/mfigueiredo_elizabethnj_org/EZ3aTGtazohKu9IQgG_zJYIBmsj_aHhGqmExAKepMB0Vxg>
[https://res-h3.public.cdn.office.net/assets/mail/file-icon/png/pdf_16x16.png]2014 UOF_0002_Redacted 1.pdf<https://elizabethnj-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/mfigueiredo_elizabethnj_org/EVZ4ohniHt1CgFCnr8LevWUBZEgP9eaqTXMYasSDl2oyXw>
[https://res-h3.public.cdn.office.net/assets/mail/file-icon/png/pdf_16x16.png]2014 UOF_0001_Redacted 1.pdf<https://elizabethnj-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/mfigueiredo_elizabethnj_org/EQh9cqCzq4dMqvZR-UlYMTkBNqD_6dH2vfCyltx88KUXKQ>
[https://res-h3.public.cdn.office.net/assets/mail/file-icon/png/pdf_16x16.png]2013 UOF_0006_Redacted 1.pdf<https://elizabethnj-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/mfigueiredo_elizabethnj_org/EaNVvLM_SW1MnYmF3Lyq2cEBG-yeMerK-nU4SgCtw1fq8Q>
[https://res-h3.public.cdn.office.net/assets/mail/file-icon/png/pdf_16x16.png]2013 UOF_0005_Redacted 1.pdf<https://elizabethnj-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/mfigueiredo_elizabethnj_org/ETjsh2AVGTFOqQAwTDvQ5hMB3nJ2yonK-myMTbIXMYJceg>
[https://res-h3.public.cdn.office.net/assets/mail/file-icon/png/pdf_16x16.png]2013 UOF_0004_Redacted 1.pdf<https://elizabethnj-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/mfigueiredo_elizabethnj_org/EQoo2aAKEN5MhLRS9YAv3U4Bs6_wg8k4Z2dvC2McqZ0nNQ>
[https://res-h3.public.cdn.office.net/assets/mail/file-icon/png/pdf_16x16.png]2013 UOF_0003_Redacted 1.pdf<https://elizabethnj-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/mfigueiredo_elizabethnj_org/Ed1kFgjTCepHkmNysq3L0bkB2hTLUQt4juIXb-NQuRX1mg>
[https://res-h3.public.cdn.office.net/assets/mail/file-icon/png/pdf_16x16.png]2013 UOF_0002_Redacted 1.pdf<https://elizabethnj-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/mfigueiredo_elizabethnj_org/Ef6BeCIMj9tPtpNsNFO0KIIB3LPQKhPJXfj5fFuWJmljTw>
[https://res-h3.public.cdn.office.net/assets/mail/file-icon/png/pdf_16x16.png]2013 UOF_0001_Redacted 1.pdf<https://elizabethnj-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/mfigueiredo_elizabethnj_org/EUV9ygOE0XpBg3kWXPDC_mkBl0LUw3F-bpbpL3LEzxvnfg>
[https://res-h3.public.cdn.office.net/assets/mail/file-icon/png/pdf_16x16.png]2012 UOF_0005_Redacted 1.pdf<https://elizabethnj-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/mfigueiredo_elizabethnj_org/Edrv8vozs11Jm_eW1F59DT0BYdPvj3utMul9yXZiyMB7wA>
[https://res-h3.public.cdn.office.net/assets/mail/file-icon/png/pdf_16x16.png]2012 UOF_0004_Redacted 1.pdf<https://elizabethnj-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/mfigueiredo_elizabethnj_org/Ed6qOdyChz5HsaOg9mUQo60B7XJ8wOwTQCJcpniaBIWypg>
[https://res-h3.public.cdn.office.net/assets/mail/file-icon/png/pdf_16x16.png]2012 UOF_0003_No Redactions 1.pdf<https://elizabethnj-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/mfigueiredo_elizabethnj_org/EenrGn1xzfFHmsrIPgzXiHsBngg3mUaS1b-PUccxh-_i5Q>
[https://res-h3.public.cdn.office.net/assets/mail/file-icon/png/pdf_16x16.png]2012 UOF_0002_Redacted 1.pdf<https://elizabethnj-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/mfigueiredo_elizabethnj_org/EdfC0QwjrhZHpb9xQrmvhbYBmqMriyCdqZGyky7N8Lu-cw>
[https://res-h3.public.cdn.office.net/assets/mail/file-icon/png/pdf_16x16.png]2012 UOF_0001_Redacted 1.pdf<https://elizabethnj-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/mfigueiredo_elizabethnj_org/EQfPee5vKMNCh2uHWfS0TtMB40so2AVfnzjHm0S6DRlwFQ>

Good afternoon, please find the remainder of your OPRA UOF for years 2012-2015.

Regards,

Marisa Figueiredo

Legal Secretary

City of Elizabeth

Law Department, Room 201

50 Winfield Scott Plaza

Elizabeth, New Jersey 07201

908-820-4009

908-352-8658 (fax)

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this email message and any attachments are intended solely for the addressee(s) and may contain confidential and/or privileged information and may be legally protected from disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient of this message or their agent, or if this message has been addressed to you in error, please immediately alert the sender by reply email and then delete this message and any attachments. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any use, dissemination, copying, or storage of this message or its attachments is strictly prohibited.

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From: Michael Owens

Subject: RE: New Jersey Open Public Records Act Request #352

Email

Thank you!

From: Elizabeth Police Department

Subject: Re: New Jersey Open Public Records Act Request #352

Email

Good morning, here are UOF reports from 2016-2020.

[https://res-h3.public.cdn.office.net/assets/mail/file-icon/png/folder_16x16.png]UOF 2016-2020<https://elizabethnj-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/mfigueiredo_elizabethnj_org/Ek19FHXgm-VKmhkEqOQSZ3wBpyLgtqoOjuEwztQmBJSY2A?e=02dsLU>

Regards,

Marisa Figueiredo

Legal Secretary

City of Elizabeth

Law Department, Room 201

50 Winfield Scott Plaza

Elizabeth, New Jersey 07201

908-820-4009

908-352-8658 (fax)

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this email message and any attachments are intended solely for the addressee(s) and may contain confidential and/or privileged information and may be legally protected from disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient of this message or their agent, or if this message has been addressed to you in error, please immediately alert the sender by reply email and then delete this message and any attachments. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any use, dissemination, copying, or storage of this message or its attachments is strictly prohibited.

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